March of 2022, fate had it that both of our careers would move us to Georgia. Erik made a move from the University of Florida to the University of Georgia. That very same month, Brooke accepted a promotion that would move her from Chicago to Atlanta. We had only been in the peach state for two months when we stumbled into each other. Brooke, being so new to town, didn’t know when Erik said he worked at UGA, meant he lived 70 miles away, until he let her know he was on his way an entire hour and half before their first date.

After the shock of distance wore off, they shared great conversation and some comical debates that first night, followed by a walk around Buckhead. After the date, as Erik was contemplating how long he needed to wait to call Brooke, a call came in from Brooke herself, and a second date ensued just three days later at a close out Braves game with an unexpected firework show ending.

After navigating long distance for a year, we bought our first home together in Athens and just before our second anniversary, Brooke walked in to the house decorated full of rose petals, candles and Erik down on one knee. Needless to say, we decided to make things official as the future Mr. and Mrs. Pastrana!